These Dynaudios are “fit and forget” speakers in the best sense. They just do the job and don’t intrude into the music

For

Entertaining, informative sound

impressive scale and bass for their size

build

Against

No shortage of top-class rivals

Reviewed on 20th January 2012

Some products just sound right from the off. It’s not that they’re perfect, more that their sonic attributes gel in such a way that any shortcomings don’t intrude on the listening experience.

Dynaudio’s Focus 160 speakers are just such a product. For speakers that stand just 35cm high, they deliver high volume and deep bass with impressive confidence.

More than that, it’s the naturally fluid way they handle tracks such as Little Dragon’s rhythmically complex Precious that pleases.

These are speakers that go for entertainment above all else, but don’t sacrifice hi-fi virtues such as tonal neutrality or stereo imaging in the process.

That’s a neat balancing act few rivals can match, and means they are as happy pounding out the likes of the Rolling Stones’ Gimme Shelter as they are delivering Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.Give them the partners they deserveAny speaker at this price needs decent electronics. Partnering equipment should be of the standard of Naim’s XS or Roksan’s Caspian M2 range, if you are to get a real idea of what these boxes will do.

More after the break

These speakers are only single-wired. Unusual, perhaps, but fine by us: it reduces cable clutter and allows you to buy the best quality single-run cable rather than compromising quality to accommodate two sets.

In our test rooms, the rear-ported Focus 160s sounded best in free space with just a hint of angling towards the listening position. Get it right and they generate a generously spacious soundstage while still delivering the precision we’d expect.

There are speakers at this price that dig up more detail and those that are more neutral sounding. But look at everything the Focus 160s do right, and it’s hard to come to any other conclusion than they’re a great buy, and deserve a spot on any shortlist.